Eastern states set to enact higher minimum wages in 2023

Nine of the eleven states in the CSG Eastern Region are set to increase their state-mandated minimum wages in 2023.

The increases in all nine states follow schedules set by previously passed legislation, most of which set multi-year schedules containing pre-determined increases in the hourly wage floor.

In Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, New Jersey, and New York, workers will earn a full dollar more than they did in 2022.

Both Connecticut and Massachusetts will require most employers in their state to pay $15.00/hour. The Massachusetts wage went into effect January 1; Connecticut will implement its $15/hour wage starting on June 1, 2023.

In all, 23 states and Washington, D.C. raised their minimum wages on January 1, raising pay for an estimated 8.4 million workers across the country, according to the Economic Policy Institute. They estimate that “workers’ wages will increase by more than $5 billion, with average annual raises for affected full-time workers ranging from $150 in Michigan to $937 in Delaware.”

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Associates in Action: Hurricane Ian Relief Efforts

By Sarahi Castillo

Hurricane Ian thrashed parts of Florida’s western coast, bringing intense winds, heavy rainfall and catastrophic storm surges causing devasted damages. In the wake of Hurricane Ian, many CSG Associates have pledged to help donate and assist those in need of help. CSG is proud to highlight the excellent work that our Associates have contributed toward the relief in the wake of the catastrophic hurricane.

AARP and AARP Foundation announced a relief fund to support victims of Hurricane Ian, the relief fund will allow AARP and AARP Foundation to match contributions, dollar for dollar up to $1,000,000. All funds will be directed to organizations providing relief and assistance to those in need. To learn more, read the full story here.

Amazon and its disaster relief team have delivered supplies and basic necessities to relief organizations like Americares. Amazon has donated $1 million to Florida Disaster Fund and is providing immediate relief assistance to employees as well as deploying volunteers within the region. To read more about Amazon’s contributions click here.

American Bankers Association and its foundation have planned to collect tax-exempt contributions through its Disaster Relief Program to aid relief efforts. American Bankers Association have also pledged to donate $100,000 to the fund. The Foundation’s fundraising drive raised another $73,000 from across the banking industry. All funds raised will be directed to the Volunteer Florida Foundation to help aid and recovery efforts. Read the full story here.

The American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) Puerto Rico section is partnering with a local design firm to help deliver supplies to citizens in municipalities heavily affected by the hurricane. ASCE also continues to advise local infrastructure owner and operators on how to rebuild more resiliently to better ensure infrastructure will withstand and protect against future storms.

AT&T and the AT&T foundation are donating $400,000 to organizations supporting restoration work in the wake of Hurricane Ian. AT&T is also focusing on permanent connectivity solutions for a few cell sites that were impacted by the storm. View the full article here.

Credit Union National Association has committed $225,500 from its CUAid program, which is managing individual donations to credit union employees and volunteers in Puerto Rico, while providing financial support to those affected by it. To learn more, click here for the full story.

CVS Health has contributed $1 million in monetary donations and up to $100,000 in product donations in Florida and Puerto Rico. Contributions made by CVS Health will be made to Florida Disaster Fund, Feeding America and the World Central Kitchen.

HCA Healthcare will contribute up to $1.5 million through community organizations and colleague matching to aid in Hurricane Ian relief efforts in Florida. The contributions total $1 million to the Governor’s Florida Disaster Fund, $250,000 to the American Red Cross and up to $250,000 in colleague matching gifts to the American Red Cross. To learn more, please click here for the full story.

Hondo Motor Co Inc. is donating $500,000 in disaster relief funds to the American Red Cross to support food security and shelter issues in the areas impacted by the recent hurricanes. Honda is offering its associates an opportunity to join the hurricane relief effort through a matching fund program. View the full article on Honda Motor Co Inc. contributions here.

Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) has provided relief effort to victims impacted by Hurricane Ian. PCMA staff and attendees have sent boxes filled with food for victims in Florida.

Procter & Gamble brings relief to residents affected by Hurricane Ian in Southwest Florida with P&G products and Tide Loads of Hope Laundry Services. P&G will also distribute free personal care kits with everyday essentials including basic hygiene needs. To learn more, read the full story here.

Target has committed $5 million to local and national disaster response partners and has also supported local first responders and nonprofit organizations in purchasing supplies. In addition, Target provided financial assistance to team members through its Team Member Giving Fund. View the full article here.

Teladoc is providing free, 24/7 general medical telehealth visits to individuals impacted by Hurricane Ian. Individuals in Florida who have been displaced or who cannot access medical care as a result of the hurricane can seek treatment from a licensed health care professional for any non-emergency illness by calling Teladoc directly at (855) 225-5032. To access the full story, click here.

T-Mobile has continued to support regional recovery through ongoing network deployments. The organization is helping residents who are working to assess damage and supporting federal, state and local organizations with addition capacity, hotspots, devices and more. Click here for the full story.

Verizon Communications has deployed its response team across the Southeast to provide mission critical communications support to public safety agencies. Verizon will also be providing unlimited calling, texting and data to their consumer and small business customers who were impacted by the storm. View the full article on Verizon Communications here.

Walgreens is supporting storm relief efforts in communities across Florida, Puerto Rico and other areas impacted by Hurricanes Ian and Fiona by contributing $1 million in aid, including $500,000 to both the Florida Disaster Fund and the American Red Cross Hurricane Fund. To learn more, visit here to read the full story.

Wells Fargo and Wells Fargo Foundation will be donating $1 million to aid four statewide organizations: American Red Cross, Feeding Florida, Florida Housing Coalition and Volunteer Florida providing urgent relief In Florida. In addition, Wells Fargo will also provide customer accommodations and employee support for those directly impacted by the storm.

Long-Term Care Policy Guide for State Policymakers

By Sean Slone

States have begun exploring a variety of strategies and policies that seem likely to transform long-term care in the years ahead. The Council of State Governments has learned from states’ success and compiled a “Long-Term Care Policy Guide” as a resource for state policymakers.

The “Long-Term Care Policy Guide” is the result of a nine-month partnership between CSG and the Commonwealth Fund, a national, private foundation based in New York City that supports independent research on health care issues and makes grants to improve health care practice and policy.

The partnership involved the formation of an interbranch task force made up of state policymakers from eight states (Arizona, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia). At least one state legislator and executive branch official representing an agency affiliated with long-term care from each state participated on the task force. Throughout the task force’s eight virtual meetings in 2022, as well as one state-curated conversation for each participating state, its members, subject matter experts and stakeholders examined three focus areas in long-term care that are highlighted in this guide. These focus areas include:

  • Addressing State Regulation of Long-Term Services and Supports Facilities

Long-term services and supports facilities including nursing homes and other places that care for older Americans and people with disabilities in congregate care settings experienced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to high concentrations of fatalities during the pandemic’s early days, many saw an epidemic of neglect, social isolation and loneliness among residents due to staffing challenges and restricted visitation policies.

  • Optimizing American Rescue Plan Act Spending on Home- and Community-Based Services Under Medicaid

A two-decade shift toward serving more people in home- and community-based settings was given a significant boost by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which provided states an increase in the federal government’s share of total Medicaid costs. As a result, states are now deploying $12.7 billion to expand eligibility and increase access to these services.

  • Revitalizing the Direct Care Workforce and Supporting Family Caregivers

The shift toward serving more people in the aforementioned settings comes just as states are also facing an unprecedented employment crisis in the direct care workforce — the group that cares for residents across a variety of long-term care settings. There are also concerns about the burden shouldered by often-unpaid caregivers in the home who are caring for a family member or loved one.

Numerous enacted state strategies are explored throughout each focus area in the guide. In addition, the three following state initiatives are highlighted as extended case studies:

  • Illinois’ 2022 legislation to overhaul how the state assesses and reimburses nursing facilities and link future funding to staffing levels and quality of care.
  • Minnesota’s American Rescue Plan Act spending plan for home- and community-based services, which spreads $680 million across more than 50 initiatives.
  • New York’s increase to the hourly minimum wage for home health care workers.

The long-term care policy guide can serve as a roadmap of potential opportunities for state policymakers. Some opportunities may require additional discussion and further assessment on a state-by-state basis in the years ahead, especially as the lessons of the pandemic and policy goals for the future of long-term care come more sharply into focus.

School Psychologist Compacts: What You Should Know

By Grant Minix

Last spring, The Council of State Governments announced the selection of the National Association of School Psychologists for technical assistance on the development of an interstate compact for licensed school psychologists. The opportunity is a result of a cooperative agreement between CSG and the Department of Defense to develop interstate licensure mobility compacts.

The introduction of the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists will facilitate licensure mobility for the profession, which can improve access to services and care for school-age children. Schools are facing a national shortage of school psychologists. According to NASP, the recommended ratio of school psychologists to students is 1:500. However, the national ratio currently stands at 1:1,211. Some states are approaching ratios of 1:5,000. These shortages are especially evident in rural schools and historically underserved school districts.

The development of the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists also offers substantial benefits to military families by allowing for increased licensure portability for military spouse. Additionally, it increases portability for school psychologists providing care for military children which will increase continuity of care.

As part of the project kickoff, CSG and NASP hosted a compact kickoff meeting in August 2022. The meeting featured CSG, NASP and DOD officials outlining the need for increased licensure mobility for licensed school psychologists and the process to develop the compact. During this meeting, and as part of a larger stakeholder review and public comment process, participants were invited to ask questions regarding the project.

Following the kickoff meeting, CSG and NASP worked to identify individuals and organizations throughout the country to serve on the compact technical assistance group, including school psychologists, regulators, state legislators and individuals representing key organizations in education. The technical assistance group is tasked with providing recommendations on numerous aspects of the compact, such as state and licensee requirements to join the compact, the makeup of the compact commission and how to integrate telepractice into the compact, which all will be considered by the document writing team.

As of December 2022, CSG and NASP are in the process of assembling the document writing team and working with the technical assistance group to develop recommendations. In early 2023, the document writing team will meet write the model language for the school psychologist interstate compact. After an initial draft of the language is developed it will be shared with the technical assistance group and then released for public stakeholder review.

CSG, NASP and the working group will continue to work on the language until it is properly vetted and fully capable of meeting the needs of the profession and the public. Once the model compact language is finalized it will be released for state enactment. CSG anticipates the model language will be released for 2024 state legislative sessions. For more information on the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists, visit the compact web page or send an email to [email protected].

Northeast Task Force Fall Meeting 2022

The Fall meeting of the Northeast High-Level Transportation Task Force was held October 26-27, 2022 at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick, New Jersey. A Summary of the meeting and presentations provided are listed below.

Northeast Task Force 2022 Fall Meeting Summary
Update on the 3Yankee’s
A Community Preparedness and Planning Pilot Framework Tool for Spent Nuclear Fuel Transportation
Update from DOE Environmental Management
DOE-NE Program Update and Interim Storage Activities
Loading of Indian Point LLRW onto Rail in Newton, Connecticut
PA Radiation Monitoring Tech Guide Document

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Physician Assistant Compacts: What You Should Know

In June 2019, a joint initiative by The Council of State Governments, Federation of State Medical Boards, American Academy of Physician Associates and the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, was created to develop an interstate compact for the interstate practice of physician assistants (PAs). Funding support for this initiative came from the Department of Health and Human Services.

The Physician Assistant Licensure Compact (PA Compact) will facilitate the ability of licensed PAs to practice in multiple states without having to obtain an individual state professional license in each state of practice. The compact will provide for greater in-person and telehealth access to care and will significantly enhance practitioner mobility, including in times of public health emergencies. The PA Compact will also strengthen public protection by establishing a data system that facilitates information sharing and coordination on disciplinary action between participating states.

In the PA Compact licensure mobility is facilitated through a “privilege to practice” model, which allows individual licensees to seek a compact privilege in any compact member state they choose. The licensee’s application for a privilege to practice in a specific state is expedited by utilizing the compact data system to ensure the individual is eligible for that privilege by meeting the requirements in the compact.

The PA Compact includes various requirements for states to adhere to prior to enacting the model legislation. These requirements ensure there are baseline standards to be met for states to start issuing compact privileges. Some of these requirements include requiring a national exam and continuing education for all PA licensees. To obtain privileges to practice in compact member states individual licensees must also meet specific requirements laid out in the compact, such as obtaining NCCPA certification and graduating from a nationally accredited PA program.

The partner organizations met as a working group throughout the compact development process to develop the compact language. As part of the development process, the working group engaged stakeholders within the PA profession and the healthcare industry to solicit input and feedback. The working group utilized stakeholder feedback to revise the compact and respond to received concerns and suggestions.

One of the major motivations behind the desire to develop an interstate compact for physician assistants is the success of other compacts for health care professions, such as the Nurse Licensure Compact and the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact for physicians. Both compacts have been enacted in nearly 40 states. The development of interstate compacts for health care professions have been extremely popular amongst states because of their ability to strengthen state’s health care workforce and provide additional pathways to care for patients. The PA Compact working group considered and incorporated many aspects of other compacts for health care professions. While the PA Compact is similar to other compacts in how it facilitates multistate practice, each compact is unique and responds to the specific needs of the profession.

The working group approved the final version of the PA Compact in October 2022, which is being made available to states for 2023 legislative sessions. CSG and the project partners will provide educational and technical assistance for stakeholders and states interested in the compact. Supporting resources and information about the compact may be found at www.pacompact.org.


How State Policymakers Will Shape the Future of Cash

By Valerie Newberg

The prevalence of cash payments in the United States has been steadily declining over recent years as technological innovations have introduced new options to complete transactions. Roughly 41% of Americans say none of their typical weekly purchases are made in cash, compared to 29% in 2018. Other related consumer behaviors indicate a move from cash to cashless transactions, such as the decline in the number of cash purchases of less than $25.

The proliferation of credit and debit cards, payment apps such as Venmo and PayPal, as well as the expansion of e-commerce have created new opportunities for cashless purchases. Additionally, entirely cash-free businesses, meaning those that only accept bank cards or digitally managed forms of currency such as online-only businesses (namely the ridesharing industry and some entertainment venues) do more than just create new opportunities for cashless payments – they require consumers to participate in cashless transactions to access goods and services.

The circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic heavily favored the use of cashless payments, exacerbating the decline in cash payments. Many businesses relied on remote payments as online purchases increased. Research suggested at the time that the virus could spread through physical currency. The number of cash transactions dropped dramatically even though market uncertainty, consumer demand and temporary aid programs from the federal government substantially increased the currency in circulation (CIC) and cash holdings. Although the number of weekly cash payments Americans made rose in 2021 for the first time since 2016, the share of businesses handling little to no cash in 2021 was still double the 2019 total. Business owners and the National Retail Federation cite the operating costs, national cash shortages, safety from robbers and prevention of employee skimming as reasons to abandon the practice of accepting cash. Additionally, credit card companies have incentivized business owners to transition to digitally reliant models, such as through Visa’s 2018 Cashless Challenge, which awarded businesses $10,000 to move away from accepting cash payments.

Proponents of transitioning to a cashless society say business owners are foreshadowing a future where bills and coins are not accepted as legal tender. In other countries like Sweden, cash is predicted to be functionally obsolete by March 2023 as most consumers have moved to different forms of payment and policy decisions continue to decrease CIC. When a retailer’s cash sales dip below 7%, scholars expect that accepting physical currency will no longer be profitable for businesses, but low consumer use is not a factor that guarantees the success of a cash-free model. Countries that have transitioned to cash-free or nearly cash-free societies are also marked by widespread digital banking infrastructure and use of debit and credit cards, conditions that are not met in all the states. For example, Mississippi, the state with the highest proportion of unbanked people in the United States (11.1%), is also the state with the lowest number of credit cards per capita (2.57).

The impact of businesses moving to digital-only forms payment options is not evenly felt. Opponents of cash-free businesses argue that historically marginalized groups, such as Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), those with disabilities, undocumented immigrants and older people are more likely to rely on cash for all of their weekly purchases as they have less access to banking. Nearly 6 million Americans were considered unbanked in 2021 and almost 19 million more are underbanked. With economic stressors like recessions and pandemics, the number of Americans who have access to stable banking decreases further as more rely on nonbank transactions and credit. Additionally, the geographic dispersion of unbanked Americans is uneven across states: in New Mexico, 7% of households do not have a checking account compared to around 1% in Utah.

Several state and local government policymakers have taken a business regulation approach to the issue by proposing laws and ordinances requiring most in-person retail businesses to accept cash payments. In Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island, lawmakers were successful in passing such bills. Other solutions available to state lawmakers focus on making digital payments and banking more accessible instead of restricting allowed business practices. Innovative policies include increasing bank card use among those who are least likely to be fully banked, like people experiencing homelessness, older people, formerly incarcerated populations and undocumented immigrants. By allowing users of electronic benefit transfer cards, like those issued for SNAP, to add cash to their cards and use them regularly in the retail market, policymakers can integrate traditionally cash-reliant communities into the digital economy.

Some states have addressed both business practices and accessibility of digitally managed payment options. In New York, state lawmakers recently passed a bill to address bank overdraft fees that can prevent low-income residents from accessing stable banking. Additionally, the city of New York bans retail outlets from refusing to accept cash payments and operates IDNYC, a photo ID program that allows residents to qualify for government financial services and apply for a bank account without a driver’s license.

The pivotal economic circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic offer a unique opportunity for policymakers to evaluate the future of the American economy and implement necessary rules and changes. As motivations for businesses and consumers to go cashless grow in an increasingly digital economy, it is essential that policymakers actively consider how to ensure fairness in the future of retail transactions. Cash as a universal currency offers payment options for disenfranchised populations but can also burden small businesses, and it is the role of state policymakers to balance these priorities by encouraging equitable progress in digital banking infrastructure and consumer involvement in the banking process.

Southern Pulse Newsletter, December 2022

The office is decorated, the gifts are given, and the aloha’s exchanged. The Council of State Governments National office conducted its annual conference in Hawaii earlier this month and I appreciate seeing several CSG South faces present.  

For members and staff alike, we know that concurrent with the holiday season is pre-filing season, followed by the digital tolling of bells ringing in the start of the legislative session. As you gear up for your busy seasons, keep in mind that CSG South is here to help. We bring gifts of top-notch, region-specific policy analysis, leadership and professional development tailored for your unique roles, alongside virtual and in-person workshops. Even better, we provide this all year – making us competitive with the magic of Santa himself!

On behalf of your CSG South family, have the happiest of holidays and a blessed New Year. We can’t wait to see you in 2023!

Click here to read Southern Pulse- December 2022

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